Maximum Ride The Final Warning by James Patterson [YA Fiction]

by Marina, 9th grader

The fourth installment in the Maximum Ride series disappointed me… a lot. James Patterson has slowly been going downhill with his writing for this series. There is basically no plot- it’s just a global warming advertisement. The characters are not portrayed as themselves and it’s pretty messed up. If you are a fan of the series, then read it because there’s a opening left for book 5, but be prepared to be disgusted.

Water for Elephants by Sara Gruen  [Adult Fiction]

by Jeana, 9th grader

Not a book for the kids, but an amazing book nonetheless. We follow the story of Jacob, a Cornell drop-out who hopped a train to join the circus. He had been training to become a veterinarian, so he became the circus’ vet. At the same time, the narration skips ahead to Jacob when he is in his nineties, living in a nursing home, and remembering his life with the circus. The switching back and forth between past and present narrators is seamless and very well done. I loved the style of the writing altogether- it was captivating and beautifully done and the characters were endearing (especially Rosie).  I recommend this book.

The Battle of the Labyrinth by Rick Riordan  [YA Fiction]

by Jessica, 6th grader

This is the fourth book in the Percy Jackson and the Olympians series. Luke has finally gotten together enough monsters to attack Camp Halfblood. He plans to invade the camp by using an underground maze called the Labyrinth. Percy has to get to the center of the maze first to stop Luke, but the maze is constantly changing and there are monsters around every turn. Can Percy save Camp Halfblood AND the rest of the world?

The City of Ember by Jeanne DuPrau  [J Fiction]

by Aziza, 6th grader

This book was such a joy to read, and is one of my favorites. The author created such a clever story that it really kept me reading. I loved every sentence of this novel, and if you enjoy adventurous books, then this is certainly the one for you! At first, I wasn’t sure if I wanted to read The City of Ember, but after the first chapter, I was hooked! I HIGHLY recommend this book!

Freak The Mighty by  W. R. Philbrick (W. Rodman)  [YA Fiction]

by Meghan, 6th grader

Max’s father is in jail, and his mother is dead, but the worst part is that his mother is dead because his father MURDERED her, when Max was only a child. Now Max lives with his grandparents, Grim and Gram. One day, a boy named Kevin moves in next door- he’s way too small for his age, he can’t walk right, and he’s a brainiac. Max calls Kevin “Freak” and they call themselves “Freak the Mighty” and become inseparable. Eventually, Max’s dad gets out of jail and is out to get Max, so when Max gets kidnapped in the middle of the night by his own father, it’s up to Freak to save him!! Can he do it? Read the book Freak The Mighty to find out!

High Rhulain by Brian Jacques  [YA Fiction]

by Sage, 6th grader

Tiria has a dream about Martin and sets out to find Green Isle. Green Isle is ruled by Wild Cats and the Otters are trying to take it back from them.  Tiria and the Otters make a plan to to run the Wild Cats out of Green Isle forever!

The Off Season by  Catherine Gilbert Murdock  [YA Fiction]

by Marina, 9th grader

The Off Season is an incredibly well written book about a girl named D.J. who lives in the Midwest and is linebacker for her high school football team. Her boyfriend is the rival high school’s quarterback, and her two older brothers play college ball. Her younger brother is super-smart, and they all live on a dairy farm that is doing well- until everything goes downhill. D.J.’s life is slowly falling apart, and she becomes totally alone- what will she do? A really great sequel to Dairy Queen, and good for anyone ages 11 and up to read.

Break No Bones by Kathy Reichs [Adult Mystery]

by Jessica, 6th grader

Temperance Brennan, an amazing forensic anthropologist, is on a dig and finds a recently killed body among old Native American skeletons. When two other bodies turn up, the situation gets bigger and badder than she can handle. Not that she needs any more pressure- there are two remarkable men fighting for her love! Read this book, the first in a long series, and be amazed.

The Clique Summer Collection: Massie by Lisi Harrison  [YA Fiction- on order]

by Aziza, 6th grader

If you love The Clique series, then you’ll love the new summer collection written by Lisi Harrison. In this book, Massie gets kicked out of her horseback riding camp, and then is ordered by her parents to pay them back for her lessons. Making money and working for it winds up being quite hard for Massie Block. I loved reading this fun book and would recommend it to any girl- although, I was a bit disappointed with how this book didn’t show any of Massie’s insecurities with herself.

Hawksong by Amelia Atwater-Rhodes [YA Fiction]

by Jeana, 9th grader

At the ripe old age of 19, Atwater-Rhodes is already a huge success, being a very capable writer- and she keeps improving. Hawksong offers a fresh, original idea. Well, maybe not the most “original” idea, but she applies her own concepts and twists. The two races of of Shapeshifters (Avian and Serpiente) have their own cultural characteristics, and so, not only is it interesting to read about the complications between the two main characters, but the background information and actual story is very intriguing. I recommend it to anyone who wants a quick interesting read.